Our family has a tradition where we each make handmade gifts for everyone. We open them on Christmas Eve. This year Nelson completed most of his gifts by Thanksgiving. Liz finished on Christmas Eve day. We always check in to be sure this is a happy tradition, because inevitably someone becomes stressed. So far, everyone declares it is the one tradition we can't do without.

Here's Liz with all her gifts on Christmas Eve. I made her the crocheted polar bear hat. Nelson made her the lap desk, and Liz made her the frame for hanging instragram photos.

Helen made me this Scrabble frame which is now hanging in our mudroom entry.

Helen made Nelson this album called "The Keepers" which has all his family recipes + our new "keepers" that we print out off the web once we've made and liked them.

Liz melted down all my old beeswax candles and made me one new one.

It smells lovely.

I decoupaged quotes from Helen's favorite books onto clothespins and printed out photos of family for her to hang on her dorm room wall.

Liz made Nelson some bags from vinyl screening for his running gear.

I made Nelson a new lunch bag. It has pockets for his coffee thermos, etc.

Liz made Helen some mixes including "daddy's pancakes" to take back to school.

St. Nicholas has always arrived at our house in early December. It is a simple tradition that requires glitter and chocolate coins. Sometimes there is a tiny something else.

In 2009 the girls got crafty and made little elf shoes. St. Nicholas brought St. Nicholas mugs.

2011

Over the years, the shoes have gotten bigger, but the tradition has remained pretty much the same.

2013

With Helen off to college and due home this week, I wanted to send off a little Christmas spirit to her dorm room. What better way than via our St. Nicholas tradition? I lined a box with tomten wrapping paper, filled it with fiberfill and glittery stars, and layered in some elf slippers filled with chocolate coins and the required chocolate santa.

I was happy to find the little pattern the girls had used tucked away in my craft cupboard.

Helen was thrilled to receive her package.

St. Nicholas didn't forget to fill Lizzie's slippers here at home.

Keeping traditions is tricky now. Liz wasn't so in to leaving her shoes out (in fact she forgot), but I know that they'll remember this when looking back as adults. They will have forgotten those shoes by the fire from when they were tiny. So, Liz rolled her eyes a bit and Helen was delighted in the tradition remaining alive. I imagine Liz will be delighted when she is at the college post office picking up her chocolate coins and I imagine their children will be leaving shoes for St. Nick too. Traditions during the teen years are worth keeping.
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We had the privilege of hosting Thanksgiving this year. It was actually a 3-day event due to snow and travel conditions with some of the family arriving early to beat the snow and staying late for a lingering visit.

Liz drew a welcome picture on the chalkboard.

The festivities began quietly with a puzzle.

My brothers decided to try roasting chestnuts on an open fire.

They were terrible (sorry Tom and Tim).

We had about 10" of snow fall in the night and our bar got a bit frosty.

We had fun setting the table.

Lots of fun times at dinner!

We took a long walk in between the big feast and dessert.

There are always delicious desserts!

Pecan tart, pumpkin pie, cider cake, chocolate pie.

A family dessert photo.

The girls went with their Aunt Hilary to the yarn shop and they made arm-knitted infinity scarves at the end of the day. It was a quiet, relaxing way to end the festivities.